Length of the ricasso

[Ben Seward]

I guess I'm solidly in the shorter ricasso camp. Its main function is a place to put your name right? So why have a bunch of empty sign space I will say that for me the shorter the ricasso the farther forward-leaning/radiused the plunge lines need to be. Also, these days my ricassos aren't parallel top to bottom. The angle of the bottom of the ricasso sets the pitch of the handle. FWIW, that's how I like to do my knives

 

[2knife]

Oh well, .. Unpopular again! Anyway.. Here is what i like. The rounded spine and ricasso area allows for more versatility in the grip using the knife, but also shortens the cutting edge. It's just a preference thing. I like the more tactile approach i guess. Visually it is not as appealing as something like this, i can agree..

David

 

[NickWheeler]

Ha, you guys crack me up. I don't think I can be credited with any kind of movement in the knife industry. LOL

It actually is a little funny, and a little bewildering to me that I'd be mentioned specifically.

I just try to make what looks right to my eye and feels right in the hand (to me)... and that just happens to typically be shorter ricassos than what some guys do.

IMHO, on some knives, having the ability to choke up ahead of the guard is a good idea. However, on most knives, I feel it's a waste of blade/cutting edge.

I can't directly quote him, but I know Loveless was known to say something along the lines of--- If you have to choke up on the blade, then there is something wrong with the design of the knife for what you're using it for.


I do NOT think it's quite that black or white... but that is typically how I feel about it.



FWIW (and IMHO)---- The way Ben made the ricasso/dropped edge flow with the sweep of the guard in that knife is brilliant... It just plain works... wonderfully. :thumbup:

 

[Bruce Bump]

Nick, I didn't even notice ricasso sizes until you came along with your logo. Don't be bewildered, although you may not go into the hall of fame for your ricasso alone, in my eyes you impacted the custom knife community.

 

[Lorien]

credit where credit is due. Look to your contemporaries. That is all.

 

[Willie71]

Looking at the Seward knife, I see the guard/ricasso as one combined design element that follows the golden ratio. The ricasso itself doesn't but it proportions beautifully with the guard.